Steps to build confidence

If you've ever found the courage to attend some kind of group activity, you may be pleasantly surprised at the impact it has on your confidence. You discover a level of success that is linked to getting over whatever holds you back. In order to move ahead on your own terms, its useful to recognize what you need work on and then, to find effective ways to deal with this.

I take the example of Toastmaster's. This is a mentoring program for people who desire to improve on their public speaking skills. Now, its not only for business people or anyone else who is expected to do presentations in a workplace. Toastmaster's is a team-building exercise where peers encourage your efforts and offer constructive criticism you that you can learn to improve. The structure is empowering rather than discouraging. It is a toll people use to learn and grow.

Many people would love to develop the ability to be able to speak more impromptu at events, to learn to control their nerves, to strengthen persistence, and to develop core reasons for believing in themselves. All this is possible through activities like Toastmaster's where personal success depends on what you hope to get out of it and what kind of work you're willing to put in.

Over time, I've met very experienced public speakers who remain humble and open to learning. I've met beginners who's primary aim it is to overcome getting up in front of a group of people. They all share meaningful stories and discover they have much in common, for even experienced speakers began somewhere. I've known people to attend meetings for long periods before they got brave and were willing to even open their mouths and introduce themselves. Yet, for those people, that was a significant accomplishment.

Each step forward is still a step forward. The size of the steps you take is less important than the effort itself and what it symbolizes. Your confidence and self-esteem will influence your sense of success. Yet, your desire to recognize your strengths and weaknesses will determine what you get out of self-improvement efforts. One thing is for certain, taking no steps will get you nowhere fast.